9 YEARS A SUSPECT
1994: Lt. Col Prasad Srikant Purohit commissioned into Maratha Light Infantry 2002-05: Purohit serves in Jammu and Kashmir 2006: Shifted to the intelligence unit after experiencing problems in his knees
2008: September 29: A bomb blast in the Maharashtra textile town of Malegaon kills six October 9: Maharashtra AntiTerrorism Squad (ATS) summons right-wing leader Sadhvi Pragya Singh Thakur for questioning October 15: Purohit files a report hinting at links between the Malegaon blast and Hindu extremists. The NIA suspects that the report was generated to cover tracks
November 5: Purohit formally arrested in the case but the military officer claims that he was abducted on October 29 and illegally held by ATS. He alleges he was tortured before being formally arrested. Purohit also claims that he had informed his bosses in the military intelligence about activities of Hindu extremists in January 2009: ATS files charge sheet against Purohit and other accused 2011: Case transferred to the NIA for further investigation 2016: National Investigation Agency finally completes its probe into the case and files charges. While Sadhvi Pragya is let off, Purohit remains an accused as his army superiors refuse to confirm to the agency if he had infiltrated a Hindu extremist group as part of his duties 2017: April: Pragya gets bail but the court is yet to decide on her discharge application August 23: Purohit walks out of jail after getting bail from the SC.